ABSTRACT
UNTIL RECENTLY, in many urban areas of the eastern United States water was only rarely disputed publicly. Decisions were left to water service providers and engineers, with the blessing of elected officials when necessary. Urban residents hardly noticed the activities of their service providers, except when a new, expensive water or sewage project showed up as a rate increase on their monthly bills. These eight cases of water conflict in Florida foreshadow change in an arena of public decisionmaking long taken for granted. What can we learn from them that will help us to address future challenges?
